Cheesewright picked to lead Walmart International

David Cheesewright.
David Cheesewright.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday said David Cheesewright will be the next president and chief executive of Walmart International, the Bentonville-based retail giant's second-largest operating segment.

Cheesewright, 51, has been president and CEO of Wal-Mart's Europe, Middle East and Africa and Canada region since 2011. Starting Feb. 1, he will report in his new job to Doug McMillon, who was named Nov. 25 as the company's next president and CEO, succeeding Mike Duke.

"David will lead the division at an exciting time," McMillon said in a statement. "We have strengthened our business and gained market share in the majority of our international markets, and he had a key role in that success. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of innovation and governance. With his deep knowledge of the company, our customers, and our purpose, he is the ideal person to steer our next chapter of continued, long-term growth."

Cheesewright began his Wal-Mart career at Asda, the company's U.K. operation, in 1999, and served as the chief operating officer for Asda and Walmart Canada and as CEO of Walmart Canada, the company said. Before joining Wal-Mart, he held leadership positions with Mars Confectionery in the U.K. He holds a joint degree in sports science and mathematics from Loughborough University in England.

Wal-Mart's international division, which operates 6,200 stores in 26 foreign countries, is responsible for nearly 30 percent of the company's revenue, the company said.

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